HC restrains satellite release of 'Jannat 2'

Taking into account the findings of Film Writers’ Association that there had been a blatant violation of copyright infringement in the recently released Bollywood film “Jannat 2,” the Bombay High Court has granted an ad interim injunction against its satellite release.

The Film Writers’ Association had earlier held that the film was based on independent writer Kapil Chopra’s original script for “Zero,” which he had registered in 2007, and that the makers of “Jannat 2” did not give him the credit for the same.

Restraining the satellite release of the film till September 10, Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar said in their August 21 order mentioned that the ad-interim injunction was passed without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.

The judges said the final order on the notice of motion in the suit shall be passed after hearing the parties on September 5. Chopra had contended that he had approached the association by a letter dated April 26, 2012, with a grievance that he had registered his script “Zero” with them (Association) on November 12, 2007, and that the film “Jannat 2” was a clear infringement of this script.

On May 3, when the matter was heard, the ad interim injunction was not granted on the ground that the film was about to be released in theatres and that the comparison between the story of the impugned film and the script of the appellant (Kapil Chopra) may be made after its release.

As the film has now been released, Chopra’s counsel requested for ad interim injunction.

Opposed prayer

The respondents opposed his prayer and submitted that the previous court order of July 9 ,which had asked them to deposit Rs 10 lakh as a condition for satellite release of the film—may be continued.